College celebrates ‘best ever’ GCSE & ‘excellent’ A-level results

STUDENTS of Frome College have collected their A-level and GCSE results with staff at the college heralding this year’s GCSE results as the ‘best ever in the history of the college’ and have applauded A-level students for excellent results.

Frome College principal, Emma Reynolds, said of the GCSE results, “241 students sat over  3,000  examination papers  and one in five of our results attained the highest levels of  A*-A/ 9-7. A tremendous achievement which is testimony to the hard work and partnership of our students, families and staff. These record results are richly deserved.

“Changes to the system have seen more challenging content and students sitting an average of 20 to 25 exam papers and we are delighted that our students’ determination has paid off. Young people are not statistics, they are individuals whose life chances depend on these results and we are all very proud of their progress and achievement.

“Our English results are the best in the history of the college, with 75% of students receiving level 4 – an achievement matched by the maths department with 74% receiving level 4 plus. 66% of our cohort gained passes in both English and maths – again a record outcome for Frome College.

“Science subjects performed extremely  well with 100% of biology, 95% of chemistry and 98% of physics candidates gaining strong grades and, in particular, girls in physics have exceeded expectations. Overall, 78% of science students passed their GCSE at level 4 or above.

“Arts and sports subjects were equally successful with 92% of photography students, 86% of music students, 80%% of drama students gaining the equivalent of C grade plus. A superb 54% of sports students and 39% of dance students gained the equivalent of A*/A.

“Language results are excellent with French performing particularly well – 74% of students gained level 4 plus  and 62% in the highest levels. Religious studies results are exceptional; nearly half of the group gained level 7 plus and an overall level 4 rate of 89%.

“We have many high performing students who gained, amongst their results: 10 A*/A/9-7 Maddy Matthews, Arwen Wilkie; 9 A*/A/9-7 Max Brewster, Amy Cotterell and Grace Lindley; 8 A*/A/9-7  Nick Howell and Ellie Richards; 7 A*/A/9-7 Barney Nuttall-Hampton; 6 A*/A/9-7 Amy Diment, Holly McPhee-Clarke, Lewis Wells,  Ben Underhill, Tramain Hughes and Jude Bostock.

“The following students made outstanding progress in their GCSE examinations, achieving results well above their targets. In some cases, this was by two or three grades or levels. A fantastic set of achievements, demonstrating the dedication and positive attitude of Frome students: Fern Andrews, Millie Barton, Gabrielle Bird,  Tom Bird, Karl Collier, Martin Doel,  Rosie Dover,  Holly Fleetwood,  Kodie Ford, Jake Joce,  Soli Llewellyn,  Kitty Peyton, Grace Rawlins,  Bailey Rusz and  Sandra Zareba. 

“This talented cohort of young people have made  brilliant progress  and these results provide an  excellent  start to sixth form studies, employment and bright futures. We look forward to welcoming year 12 into sixth form in September and plan to hold our GCSE celebration event on Tuesday 20th November from 7pm in the Memorial theatre.”

A-level and BTEC results at the College also gave reason to celebrate. 

College principal, Emma Reynolds said, “In recent years, our successful academic record has attracted growing numbers of sixth formers to Frome College meaning that this summer we see the largest numbers of students receiving brilliant examination results. With 410 examination entries (2017 saw 324 entries), our students have continued to deliver strong levels of achievement and progress to the highest of standards.

“Amongst our many successes, special mention must go to: Solomon Warsop who achieved A* A* A* A in physics, photography, chemistry and mathematics, Mia Douglas who achieved A*A A in photography, religious studies and English and Kieran Grist who achieved A*A A in mathematics, history and geography. 

“Despite national predictions suggesting a drop in the highest grades, we are delighted that nearly a quarter of all our grades were awarded A*-A and almost half at A*-B. We are particularly pleased with our art, history and sport results. 

“Our education system has seen major reforms over the past few years with a move away from coursework and modular exams and our sixth form students worked very hard to achieve these results and deserve every success. We, as a staff team, are very proud of them and their many contributions to college life. 

“Headline figures: Percentage of A/A* grades 21%; Percentage of A*/B grades 44%; Percentage of A*/C grades 72%; Percentage of A*/E grades 98%.  

“Looking forward, year 12 students will return to college on Wednesday 5th September having achieved a highly encouraging set of mock exam results. This means our students are in the strongest of positions to begin year 13 and we look forward to welcoming them back to college. We wish all of our leavers the very best of luck for a bright future.”

Chair of governors, Max Wide added, “Good Ofsted ratings please us, but there is nothing better than excellent examination results. Our congratulations to all our students who work so hard to buck the national trend and make such great progress.

“We now have our best ever results at GCSE – in a year when the bar has been raised nationally. The governors wish to congratulate students and staff, the college goes from strength to strength and is an excellent choice for all young people.”